“We played two games with more or less the same players, but I never imagined a game like this. I saw my Inter were really tired and struggling. I thought we’d pay a small price for the fatigue, but not to this degree. I evaluated the situation incorrectly.”

Right from the start Inter seemed to be tactically confused and unable to counter Fiorentina’s passing game.

“We intended to have Fredy Guarin on David Pizarro, but our two internal midfielders were struggling and he had to drop back. It was an adjustment, but the defeat was clear.

“We could’ve done without this defeat, but I don’t know how we can play so differently from Thursday to Sunday. Maybe I made a mistake. Inter were too ugly to be true.”

Next Sunday there is the Derby della Madonnina, although on Wednesday Milan play Barcelona and on Thursday Inter travel to Cluj.

“We have to take those fixtures into account,” continued Stramaccioni. “Never more than tonight was everyone’s performance below par. We paid an exaggerated price for the two games.

“We must absolutely get back on our feet. We are honouring the Europa League and that takes away energy, but I don’t mean that as an alibi.”